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Monday, 4 August 2014

"The Little Yellow Duck Project involves people around the world handcrafting little yellow duck gifts as random acts of kindness that are left in public places for others to find. A special tag on each one invites the finder to take their gift home to brighten their day and to visit this website to register where they found their gift. We hope that the stories and information found here will encourage them to pledge their own random act of kindness by registering to donate blood, bone marrow, organs tissues."

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

At some point I realised that I urgently needed a "project basket"- handmade by myself off course. My first attempt was using plarn (plastic yarn) as I have made a pretty tote bag before as a recycling effort - but half way through I abandoned the mission after breaking a crochet hook and the basket not looking as sturdy as I intended.

I couldn't leave it at that though.. I saw a little basket a lady had made of T-Yarn at a local wool shop and that was the answer! I ordered some (they have an awesome array of colours) and finally my basket took shape. Using a pattern from the Crochet in Colour Blog as guide, I modified to suit my requirements and VOILA!

Saturday, 10 May 2014

Just in time, as cold and rainy weather creeps in on us in Cape Town did I finish knitting my leg warmers!

I had this sensational yarn in my cupboard for quite a while before deciding what to make with it. It is Elle Escapades "Burnt Horizon" - a very a suitable name as you will find most of these wonderful shades in any typical autumn Cape sunset. It inspired me so much while knitting with it that I dyed my hair a very similar ombré!

This was also my first ever project using double point needles and knitting something in the round. Initially the cast on and first round had me starting over a few times but the patience paid off and I got the hang of it. I made up a pattern on the go, a mix between a few rather cryptic instructions on the net.

The first leg warmer I finished off was quite short but looked great even though the yarn had not progressed into the pinks yet..so I decided to rip it and make a much longer version. The effort was well worth it! The result is a pair of wonderfully toasty, super pretty leg warmers that are just as comfortable in the 21st century than it was back in the 80's :)

"Leg warmers are coverings for the lower legs, similar to socks but thicker and generally footless. They were originally used as dancewear by ballet and other classic dancers in order to keep the leg muscles warm and to prevent cramping or other muscle injuries. No scientific data has been yet collected to substantiate the claim that leg warmers prevent injury." Wikipedia

Thursday, 27 March 2014

Earlier this week I had the pleasure to ship off something pretty to a very excited lady. She had asked me to make her something similar to the stunning crocheted "Essential Halter Bikini Top" (see small picture further below) from the Australian online swimwear store SheMadeMe

I decided to attempt a knitted test version in some white cotton yarn I had on stash, making up a pattern as I go... she loved it and ordered one in ivory!!

Can't wait to see some photos of her wearing it at AfricaBurn in April :)

Sample knitted halter top, looks cute under tops as well!

Final product looks stunning in ivory 4 ply cotton and handmade crafty packaging!
Bottom left is the inspiration - crochet halter top from She Made Me online store.